Tennessee coaching search: Day 7

Alabama defeated Georgia in the SEC championship game, 35-28. Now that the game has concluded, Alabama’s quarterbacks coach Dan Enos is expected to speak with Tennessee regarding the offensive coordinator vacancy.

Birmingham-based insider Nick Taylor tells Vols Wire that “it’s a good opportunity for Enos to interview with Tennessee, but even though you like Tennessee you have Mike Locksley that could be leaving – it could be better staying and being the offensive coordinator for Nick Saban.”

Taylor does “expect Enos to be interviewed soon by Tennessee” and says “anything is possible for Jalen Hurts transferring to go with Enos if he were to leave.”

Taylor also learned more on the pushback from University of Tennessee Board of Trustees in regards to former Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze interviewing with Tennessee.

Taylor says “Freeze remains a strong candidate even after the pushback.”

Vols Wire has learned that Freeze is in good standing with UT to allow for his hire to go through.

Brett Norsworthy of the Ole Miss/IMG Network told Vols Wire on Friday afternoon regarding Freeze that “all indications are pointing to something with Tennessee” and that “they are getting a really good football coach.”

Norsworthy’s comments came before UT Board of Trustees pushed back on a potential Freeze hire. UT Interim President Randy Boyd also addressed the coaching search, saying Phillip Fulmer and Jeremy Pruitt are in charge of the hiring decision.

I'm grateful for the passion & support of all in Vol Nation, but there is ZERO truth to rumors flying tonight. UTAD and @CoachJPruitt in charge of this hiring decision. #VolTwitter

One source close to Freeze told Vols Wire that the former Ole Miss head coach views the Tennessee offensive coordinator position as a “dream type job” and ideally would want to move quick in coming on staff.

The search’s final decision will ultimately come down to what Pruitt wants to do. A promotion with John Lilly, who currently serves as Assistant to the Head Coach at UT, in which Taylor says is also a possibility.